Chess Puzzle #aYjAR — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Rating 2283 · Expert · advantage, master, middlegame, short.

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b1/e1; bishops c1/d3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks d8/e8; bishop d4; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Bg5 — bishop c1→g5. Now Black to move.
  2. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook b1→e1, captures rook).
  3. Best move: Qa5 — queen b6→a5.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/pp3p1p/1q3np1/8/3b4/3B1Q1P/PP3PP1/1RB1R1K1 w - - 4 21

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Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.